VASCO: On Friday, barge owners raised their voices, urging authorities to intervene and resume the handling of bauxite cargo at Mormugao Port. The appeal comes as cargo shipments have been diverted to Jaigarh Port in Maharashtra, causing significant disruptions to the local industry.
Raymond Desa, former President of the Goa Barge Owners Association (GBOA) expressed concern over the diversion of bauxite cargo from Mormugao Port to JSW Jaigarh Port. He highlighted the negative impact of this decision on various sectors, particularly the barge industry, cargo transporters, stevedores, and local labourers who depend on the regular movement of bauxite cargo for their livelihoods.
Desa emphasized that the diversion of the MV Star Scarlett by Hindalco, the importers Hindalco, which was scheduled to unload approximately 1,64,069 metric tonnes of bauxite cargo, could result in significant financial losses amounting to Rs 12 crore for stakeholders, including Rs three crore for the barge industry alone.
Furthermore, Desa called for a thorough investigation into the events leading to the diversion of the ship and urged authorities to implement measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Preserving the well-being and sustainability of the barge industry and its associated stakeholders is crucial for the community’s prosperity, he said.
Desa appealed to the government to prioritise the matter and address the concerns of all port-dependent stakeholders, emphasising the importance of maintaining daily livelihoods in the region.
